Intel Based $1200 Gaming/Video Rig - Suggestions?

[john_dillinger]

Hey guys,

New member over here considering building a new computer after my 27" iMac i7 was stolen


Approximate Purchase Date: ASAP

Budget Range: $1000-$1300

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, Virtual Machines, Video Editing, Internet, More Gaming

Parts Not Required: keyboard, mouse, monitor (for now)

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: newegg.com - microcenter (if in stock at dallas location)

Country: Texas

Parts Preferences: Intel Ivy Bridge, Asus (ASRock) or Gigabyte, GeForce

Overclocking: Yes

SLI or Crossfire: Yes

Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080

Additional Comments:here are the parts I have spec'd out:



PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/9YO2

CPU: Intel Core i7-3770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($339.98 @ NCIX US)
CPU Cooler: Thermaltake Water 2.0 Performer 81.3 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($139.99 @ Microcenter)
considering ASUS P8Z77-V PRO LGA 1155 Z77 ATX Intel Motherboard as well... for $209
Memory: Kingston HyperX 16GB (4 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($105.81 @ NCIX US)
Hard Drive: Samsung Spinpoint F3 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Hard Drive: OCZ Vertex 3 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($99.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 550 Ti 1GB Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($114.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 550 Ti 1GB Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($114.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master Storm Enforcer ATX Mid Tower Case ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Cooler Master 600W ATX12V Power Supply ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG GH24LS70 DVD/CD Writer ($29.99 @ Compuvest)
Total: $1220.70

Can you please tell me if all of these will work properly together? Any parts you might change or get rid of?

Thanks

 

[g-unit1111]

First and foremost - drop the liquid cooler, the SSD, and that GPU setup. The GPU setup was the same one I was running for a long time and it was absolutely terrible. You want the single strongest GPU you can get as opposed to two weaker ones. If you get the Extreme 4 you'll have enough breathing room to upgrade your GPU to a Radeon 7870 and that's an excellent primary GPU.

On a $1300 build here's what I would recommend:

Case: Cooler Master HAF 912 - $59.99
PSU: Corsair Enthusiast Series TX650 V2 - $89.99 ($20.00 MIR)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z77-D3H - $119.99
CPU: 3.4GHz Intel Core i5-3570K - $249.99
Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo - $33.99
RAM: 8GB G.Skill Ripjaw 1600MHz 1.5V - $46.99
SSD: 128GB Crucial M4 - $127.99
HD: 2TB Seagate Barracuda Green - $119.99
Optical: Lite On DVD Burner - $17.99
Video Card: EVGA Geforce GTX 670 - $399.99

Total: $1,128.99

Now this configuration is for gaming. If you want to do some heavy duty video editing and virtual machine, things like that you can upgrade to the 3770K and 16GB of RAM and still come in under $1300. Add a Windows license and you're good to go.

 

[fpoon]

You don't need DDR3-1600 memory. It doesn't make that much of a difference.

 

[g-unit1111]

You don't need DDR3-1600 memory. It doesn't make that much of a difference.

That's certainly true but you also don't want to go over 1600 as that won't make a difference either. I know Intel actually recommends 1333 on Sandy Bridge builds but I think Ivy can handle 1600 easily.

 

[john_dillinger]

I understand changing the GPU but why the SSD? What's wrong with the one I picked out?

Does ivy bridge want DDR3-1600 or just able to handle it well?

Will Gigabyte board handle overclocking as well as Asus/ASRock?

Thanks guys

Here's what I'm now thinking - need to add CPU, memory, and ssd

LITE-ON DVD Burner - Bulk Black SATA Model iHAS124-04 - OEM

SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

EVGA 02G-P4-2678-KR GeForce GTX 670 FTW 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card

ASRock Z77 Extreme4 LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 EVO RR-212E-20PK-R2 Continuous Direct Contact 120mm Sleeve CPU Cooler Compatible with

Rosewill HIVE Series HIVE-750 750W Continuous @40°C, 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified, Modular Design, Single +12V Rail, ATX12V v2.31/EPS12V ... combo
Rosewill CHALLENGER Black Gaming ATX Mid Tower Computer Case, comes with Three Fans-1x Front Blue LED 120mm Fan, 1x Top 140mm ... combo


Subtotal: $798.93

 

[g-unit1111]

I understand changing the GPU but why the SSD? What's wrong with the one I picked out?

Does ivy bridge want DDR3-1600 or just able to handle it well?

Will Gigabyte board handle overclocking as well as Asus/ASRock?

Thanks guys

1. The Sandforce controller that the OCZ Vertex 3 uses is prone to have issues and errors. I have a Sandforce drive and I'm constantly having problems with it. If you want an OCZ drive I recommend the new Vertex 4 which is based on the new Indilinx controller - a variant of the Marvell controller used in the Crucial M4.

2. Both 1333 and 1600 will work fine in the board. By default your motherboard will run the lowest speeds and timings it can handle and you don't want to go over - having 1866 RAM and above will not work and Intel actually frowns on using RAM above 1600 and will void your warranty as a result. Most motherboards can't handle the high speeds yet due to the design of SB/IB and you shouldn't use them.

3. Yes - I have that same board - they all overclock about the same. I like the Gigabyte because the visual BIOS makes things really easy to navigate and Asrock and Asus don't have anything that comes close to it. The Gigabyte has a somewhat questionable audio driver but I can live with that.

Here's what I'm now thinking - need to add CPU, memory, and ssd

LITE-ON DVD Burner - Bulk Black SATA Model iHAS124-04 - OEM

SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

EVGA 02G-P4-2678-KR GeForce GTX 670 FTW 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card

ASRock Z77 Extreme4 LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 EVO RR-212E-20PK-R2 Continuous Direct Contact 120mm Sleeve CPU Cooler Compatible with

Rosewill HIVE Series HIVE-750 750W Continuous @40°C, 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified, Modular Design, Single +12V Rail, ATX12V v2.31/EPS12V ... combo
Rosewill CHALLENGER Black Gaming ATX Mid Tower Computer Case, comes with Three Fans-1x Front Blue LED 120mm Fan, 1x Top 140mm ... combo


Subtotal: $798.93

That case is fine - I'd personally go for the HAF 912, Corsair 300R, or Phantom 410 myself. As far as the PSU goes - the Hive series isn't that great. I hear good things about Rosewill's Capstone series but you should just stick with Corsair, PC Power & Cooling, or Seasonic.

 

[john_dillinger]

here are the final specs:

ivy bridge i5 3570k - $189 at Microcenter
Asus p8z77-v-lk - $145 at Newegg
G.Skill Ripjaws X - 2x8gb 1600 ddr3 - $115 at Newegg
EVGA 02g-p4-2678-kr geforce gtx670 ftw - $420 at Newegg
Corsair TX650 - $85 Newegg
Samsung Spinpoint f3 - 1tb 7200rpm - $90 Newegg
Crucial M4 128gb ssd - $125 Newegg
Lite-on DVD burner - $19 Newegg
TP-Link wifi adapter - $18 Newegg
Arctic Silver - $6
Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO - $35 Newegg
Rosewill Blackhawk ATX tower - $90 Newegg

Total: $1350 with shipping/tax


Do all of these pieces fit together? I picked i5 because it is half the price and 5% different than i7... better gpu due to gaming.

Suggestions?

 

[Why_Me]

here are the final specs:

ivy bridge i5 3570k - $189 at Microcenter
Asus p8z77-v-lk - $145 at Newegg
G.Skill Ripjaws X - 2x8gb 1600 ddr3 - $115 at Newegg
EVGA 02g-p4-2678-kr geforce gtx670 ftw - $420 at Newegg
Corsair TX650 - $85 Newegg
Samsung Spinpoint f3 - 1tb 7200rpm - $90 Newegg
Crucial M4 128gb ssd - $125 Newegg
Lite-on DVD burner - $19 Newegg
TP-Link wifi adapter - $18 Newegg
Arctic Silver - $6
Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO - $35 Newegg
Rosewill Blackhawk ATX tower - $90 Newegg

Total: $1350 with shipping/tax


Do all of these pieces fit together? I picked i5 because it is half the price and 5% different than i7... better gpu due to gaming.

Suggestions?

Drop the Artic Silver off that list. The CM EVO comes with a small tube of MX-4 which is about as good as it gets for thermal compounds. Size up to a 750w psu if you want to run two of those cards in the future...look at the Corsair TX750w for $100 or even less after rebates. Go with low profile RAM like the G.Skill Ares...it's the Ripjaws with a low profile heat sinks so you don't screw yourself when trying to install that CM EVO.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100010074%20600014259&IsNodeId=1&name=Up%20to%20300Mbps <----- make sure your adapter is wireless N and try and get something with 300mbhs

 

[john_dillinger]

come up with a final solution - took the ram down by 4gb, upgraded psu, upgraded mobo w/ integrated wifi and better audio/bios, got combo deal at microcenter for 3570k and ASUS p8z77-v pro for $400 with warranty and tax... a steal!

1
SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 1TB 3.5" SATA 3.0Gb/s Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Item #:N82E16822152185
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
$139.99
$79.99


1
EVGA GeForce GTX 670 FTW 02G-P4-2678-KR Video Card
Item #:N82E16814130787
Return Policy: VGA Standard Return Policy
$419.99


1
CASE ROSEWILL | BLACKHAWK Gaming ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
Item #:N82E16811147107
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
$99.99
$89.99


1
COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 EVO RR-212E-20PK-R2 Continuous Direct Contact 120mm Sleeve CPU Cooler Compatible with latest Intel 2011/1366/1155 and AMD FM1/AM3+
Item #:N82E16835103099
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
$34.99


1
Crucial M4 CT128M4SSD2 2.5" MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
Item #:N82E16820148442
Return Policy: Limited Replacement Only Return Policy
$149.99
$124.99


1
Kingston HyperX 12GB (3 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) XMP Desktop Memory
Item #:N82E16820104127
Return Policy: Memory Standard Return Policy
$84.99


1
CORSAIR Enthusiast Series TX750 V2 750W High Performance Power Supply
Item #:N82E16817139021
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
$139.99
$109.99


1
ASUS 24X DVD Burner - Bulk Black SATA Model DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS
Item #:N82E16827135204
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
$18.99
$16.99


Grand Total: $961.92 + $400 mobo/cpu at microcenter = $1360

 

[g-unit1111]

come up with a final solution - took the ram down by 4gb, upgraded psu, upgraded mobo w/ integrated wifi and better audio/bios, got combo deal at microcenter for 3570k and ASUS p8z77-v pro for $400 with warranty and tax... a steal!

1
SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 1TB 3.5" SATA 3.0Gb/s Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Item #:N82E16822152185
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
$139.99
$79.99


1
EVGA GeForce GTX 670 FTW 02G-P4-2678-KR Video Card
Item #:N82E16814130787
Return Policy: VGA Standard Return Policy
$419.99


1
CASE ROSEWILL | BLACKHAWK Gaming ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
Item #:N82E16811147107
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
$99.99
$89.99


1
COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 EVO RR-212E-20PK-R2 Continuous Direct Contact 120mm Sleeve CPU Cooler Compatible with latest Intel 2011/1366/1155 and AMD FM1/AM3+
Item #:N82E16835103099
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
$34.99


1
Crucial M4 CT128M4SSD2 2.5" MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
Item #:N82E16820148442
Return Policy: Limited Replacement Only Return Policy
$149.99
$124.99


1
Kingston HyperX 12GB (3 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) XMP Desktop Memory
Item #:N82E16820104127
Return Policy: Memory Standard Return Policy
$84.99


1
CORSAIR Enthusiast Series TX750 V2 750W High Performance Power Supply
Item #:N82E16817139021
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
$139.99
$109.99


1
ASUS 24X DVD Burner - Bulk Black SATA Model DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS
Item #:N82E16827135204
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
$18.99
$16.99


Grand Total: $961.92 + $400 mobo/cpu at microcenter = $1360

That looks pretty good but that RAM is actually triple channel RAM meant for X58 systems. You'll need dual channel RAM like this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148544

I'd also get a different case - try something like this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129178